Adjustable wear plate for pin setting frames



June 26, 1945. HALEK 2,379,148

ADJUSTABLE WEAR PLATE FOR PIN SETTING FRAMES Filed March 24, 1944 INVENT OR.

AT TORNE Y5 Patented June 26, 1945 ADJUSTABLE WEAR PLATE FOR PIN SETTINGFRAMES Frank Halek, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to Bluha SpecialtyCompany, Cleveland, hio,'a partnership composed of Fr Bluhm ank Halekand John C.

Application March 24, 1944,- Serial No. 527,394

Claims.

This invention, as indicated, relates to adjustable wear plate for pinsetting frames of the conventional type used on standardized bowlingalleys. In such frames each bowling pin is set in the frame at a smallinclination to the horizontal position with the sides of the pin bearingagainst triangular wooden blocks which accurately position them withreference to the spots on the bowling alley. When the frame reaches thesetting position the pins are elevated to pass through apertures in theframe and the series are accurately positioned upon their respectivespots. In the course of time the triangular blocks which space the pinsin their respective compartments in the frame become worn or split alongthe contacting surface so that the pins are no longer accurately heldwithin the frame, and this results in incorrect spotting of the pins onthe bowling alleys with consequent loss'of time in manual adjustment tocorrect such errors.

To avoid the difficulties referred to frequent replacement of thetriangular blocks is necessary in order that rapid and accurate serviceof the pin setting apparatus may be carried through. The presentinvention has in View reducing the frequency of such adjustment of theframes by providing an adjustable metal wear plate which may bepositioned over the triangular blocks and moved to such position as toaccurately hold each pin on the frame so that it will register with itsparticular spot without readjustment after the frame has been withdrawn.

It will be noted that the triangular blocks are used in pairs onopposite sides on each pin compartment, and accordingly wear plates arerequired to be made as complementary to fit respectively on the rightand left-hand triangular blocks.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide wear platesto serve as pin positioning elements in a pin setting frame.

Another object of the invention is to provide adjustable means on eachside of abowling in compartment in a pin setting frame.

Another object of the invention is to provide a metal plate with thedepending flange adapted to overlie the triangular blocks on either sideof each pin compartment in a pin setting frame to reduce wear andmaintain accurate adjustment of the pin spacing means.

Another object of the invention is to provide a wear plate having asomewhat triangular top surface and a somewhat triangular side flangeand having a longitudinal adjustment slot through the top plate portionwhereby said plate may be adjustably positioned over an individualtriangular positioning block in a pin receiving compartment of a pinsetting. frame.

Other and further objects of the invention will appear in the course ofthe following description.

Tothe accomplishment of the' foregoing and related ends. said invention,then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularlypointed out in the claims, the annexed drawing and the followingdescription setting forth in detail certain structures embodying theinvention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but several ofvarious forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawing:

Fig. 1 is a central vertical sectional view of a pin setting frameprovided with an adjustable wear plate embodying the principles of theinvention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a portion of a pin setting frame providedwith a pair of adjustable wear plates embodying the principles of theinvention;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a pair of adjustable wear platesapplied to a pin setting frame over the wedge blocks thereof; and;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one wear plate embodying the principlesof the invention.

As is clearly shown in Figure 1 of the drawingillustrating a portion ofapin setting apparatus of conventionaltype having a frame I with anupper deck 2 and a lower deck 3 and an intermediate movable frame 4, theapparatus is provided with a plurality of pin compartments having adished portion 5 to receive a bowling pin 6 in inclined position, thelower end of the pin en-.

gaging beneath a rib I on the opposite side of an aperture 8 extendingthrough the frame adjacent one end of the compartment.

At each side of the compartment a wedge block or triangular positioningmember 9 is provided, said block being of a shape tocontact the lowercurved portions of the body of the bowling pin and thus accuratelyregister the pin for movement toward its set positioning over a spot onthe bowling alley when the movable frame 4 is lowered and the pin turnsto vertical position. The movable frame carries a pair of pivotedpositioning shoes I I and the pin passes intermediate said shoes when itturns to vertical position and is guided accurately into correctposition upon its respective spot.

The loading of the pin setting frame causes wear and abrading action onthe margins of the triangular blocks 9, and when these blocks no longercontact the pin as required, the accuracyof the pin setting device willbe greatly impaired. Thus, it is required that constant attention begiven the wedge blocks so that proper service may be carried out,particularly in contests Wherein exact unformity of pin setting is abasic requirement.

In the present case extreme accuracy of pin setting may be brought aboutand at the same time the disadvantages occasioned by wear of the wedgeblocks avoided through the use of adjustable wear plates l2 of the typeclearly shown in the drawing, and particularly in Figure 4. The wearplate comprises a sheet of thin material of triangular shape and of asize to engage. over; the wedge blocks 9 heretofore referred to. 'Ihetopportion l3 of the plate is thus of a somewhat triangular shape and has aslot I 4 adjacent one 1ongitudinal edge. The opposite edge of the plateis provided with a flange portion l5 of somewhat triangular shapeproviding a surface adapted to abut the curved body portion of thebowling pin 6. The slot in the plate I2 permits sliding adjustment ofthe plate toward and away from the bowling pin when such plates areengaged over the respective wedge blocks 9 on each side of the pincompartment. The wear plates, it will b noted, are formed in pairs,there being a lefthand unit IB-and a right-hand unit I! movable toward apin adjacent an opening 8 through the frame. The wear plates are of asuflicient size to engage not only over the wedge block 9, but over theside rails l8 and I9 of the respective pin compartment.

In order to hold the wear plates in adjusted position locking screws 20are engaged through the respective slots of the plates l6 and I1 andsecured in the side rails I8 and I9, respectively. The wear'plates, itwill be found, have high'resistance to wear and may be retained in anypredetermined adjusted position by firmly engaging the locking screws inthe side rails. The centering of the pin may be readily brought about inthe event of uneven wear on the wedge blocks originally provided bymoving th respective wear plates of each pair Whatever degree may benecessary to bring about the accurate centering of the adjacent pinwithin its compartment. The wear plates thus are preferably formed ofvery durable material, such as sheet steel of highquality, as stainlesssteel'or the like, and will require practically no attention over longperiods of time. If at any time replacement is required, the same may bevery readily brought about through the removal of the locking screw 20from the plate requiring replacement and substituting the new 'plate inproper position within the compartment and tightening its locking screwwhen the plate has been moved to the proper position.

The device above setforth provides for a very high degree of precisionin the functioning of pin setting frames, and as hasbeen indicated, suchextreme accuracyin pin setting is'a matter of very great importance inconnection with bowling contests of various kinds.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employedinstead of those explained, change being made as regards the structureherein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the followingclaims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. A pin setting device comprising a frame having compartments forholding bowling pins at a low angle to the horizontal, and complementarywedge, members each with a triangular top face, and a depending flangeand each having a longitudinal slot parallel to and spaced from the freemargin of said top face, on each side of each compartment adjustable topin contacting position to bring each pin into accurate adjustment formovement. into registry with its respective spot.

2. A pin setting device comprising a frame having compartments, forholding bowling pins at a low angle, to, the horizontal, andcomplementary longitudinally slidable wedge members, each formed of athin plate with a depending flange and having a longitudinal slotparallel to and spaced from the free margin of said top face,on

each side of each compartment adjustable to pin contacting Position tobring each pin into accurate, adjustment for movement into registry withits, respective spot.

v3. A pin setting device comprising a frame having .compartments forholding bowling pins at a, low angle to the horizontal, complementarymetal wedge plat s having dependin iianges,

positioned on each Sideof each pin compartment,

a longitudinal slot formed in each plate parallelto, and spaced fromvthe free margin thereof, per,- mitting longitudinal movementthereofinto-pin contacting position to bring each pin into accu-v rateadjustment for movement into registry with,

it respective spot, and means for locking said plates in adjustedposition.

4. A pin setting device comprising a frame having compartments forholding bowling pins at a low angle to the horizontal, a thin sheetmetal wear plate having a depending flange adapted to be set angularlyoneach side of each pincompartment over the wedge blocks therein,a'longitudinal slot in said plate to permit positionin contact with eachrespective pin, and locking means engaging said slot for holding saidplate in any predetermined position of adjustment.

5. A wear plate for pin setting devices comprising arectangular sheet ofmetal of greater length than width bent along a diagonal line extendinglengthwise of the plate and presenting two plate sections at rightangles to each other, each section being a right-angled triangle inoutlinereversely turned with respect to it companion section, and alongitudinal slot spaced from the. margin of one section and parallel tosaid margin, whereby a locking screw engaged in said frame and extendingthrough said slot will rigidly hold said plate in firmly lockedposition.

FRANK HALEK.

